How to Start a Pet Transportation BusinessPet
Transportation Services are essential as the number of pets in the U.S.
is growing tremendously over the past few years. According to the U.S.
Pet ownership and Demographics sourcebook, you'll find an estimated 60
million dogs and 70 million cats in American homes today. Aside from
that, households which own pets happen to be recorded to spend 36% more
in 2001 in comparison with 1996. With this, owning a business that
caters to your dog market, including a pet transportation service has
lots of potential for healthy growth.

It's
because the fact that many Americans move the country yearly and so
would require pet transportation services to go their pets as well. On a
smaller scale, pet transportation services may also cater for local
residents who want these services to transport their pets both to and
from the vet, in just a local area or even to the crematorium for pets
which have died.

Start Up Costs and Financing Sources:Financing
can be obtained from investors who might be interested in the
potentials for these a business. Other than that, lending institutions
such as banks can be approached to obtain a loan for that business. As
with any business start-up, an extraordinary business plan must be
produced for potential investors and financiers, indicating the
possibility growth as well as the estimated annual costs and revenue in
the business.

Promoting:

As you are targeting owners, the
best marketing approach would in promoting in locations where owners
would go. Reading material for owners as well as events which are
attended by the same target group. Placing brochures within pet stores
and possibly awarding pet stores with commissions for each customer they
recommend to you personally would be a good idea. Advertising in pet
magazines or receiving a write up on your services will be helpful. Of
course, classified ads in the Yellow pages really are a must in order to
make it easy for customers to locate you.

Other channels of
promotion would be participation as a vendor in dog shows or
exhibitions. It will help increase awareness on the existence of the
business. Additionally, utilizing associations such as the American
Kennel Association would create and improve visibility to pet breeders
and pet store owners. Especially when you take part in events organized
by these associations.

Launching a web site and allowing customers to get instant price estimates out of your website would be also a great idea.

Essential Equipment

Ecommerce
requires a fair level of equipment, in which the most critical would be
the vehicle that is utilized to transport the animals. As well as that,
other equipment including crates, kennels and carriers may be needed as
some customers will not have these items with them. The size and usage
of these crates must be according to the guidelines set by the
Independent Pet and Animal Transport Association (IPATA).

Handlers
and drivers must be employed to care for the animals when they are in
transit. Other equipment required will be built-in sinks within the
vehicle to allow for easy cleaning and water refills.

Recommended training, experience, or needed skills:

There
isn't any extensive training necessary for a pet transportation service
business. However, good and responsible drivers and animal handlers
need to be engaged. It would be best if you have a background and
expertise in handling animals during travel so you can train your staff
and ensure that they are handling animals inside the correct manner. As
well as that, your staff must also can deal if they encounter problems
throughout the journey, and should also be equipped with the latest
kennel and vet location information in the case of emergencies.

Apart
from that, the company owner must be well informed on all legal
requirements pertaining to pet transportation. By way of example, there
are IPATA guidelines on the size of crates and wire crates which are
required by law. Moreover, all pets has to be accompanied by an
inter-state travel certificate that is certified by a veterinarian.

Income potential:

The
wages potential of this business is dependent on how large the business
grows to. A larger business with multiple offices and destinations are
able to sustain a higher sales volume. With this, the pet transportation
business should be able to generate at least a six- figure income each
and every year.

Target market:

Pet owners, pet stores and animal breeders.

Success tips:

A
pet transportation business requires investment as well as a passion
for welfare of animals for it to be successful. As it is additionally a
niche market, lots of promoting need to be invested in the business in
order to create the notice of the services.